The two nations reached major deals on engines for fighter jets, semiconductor investment and space cooperation as Biden rolled out the red carpet to Modi for only the third state visit of his presidency.

With thousands of Indian-Americans chanting his name on the White House's South Lawn, Modi, sporting a flowing white kurta with a sky-blue jacket, walked a red carpet to a gun salute.

"I have long believed that the relationship between the US and India will be one of the most defining relationships of the 21st century," Biden said.

Modi, India's most powerful prime minister in decades, said that the visit brought a "new direction and new energy" to the partnership with the US.

Later, addressing both chambers of Congress, Modi clearly alluded to US concerns on China as he backed a "free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific", a favorite phrase of the US.

"The dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadow in the Indo-Pacific," Modi said.

Popular

Analysis: Prabowo’s approval rating 51 percent and falling

A healthy economy must be felt

Poverty falls, but the line is too low, economists say